Graduate Blog: My experience of applications

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My experience of applications

Posted At : November 4, 2011 5:41 PM by Scott Bradshaw

Graduate Program: Technology

A bit about me, I joined Capgemini this July after graduating the month before. I studied Maths at Warwick University - but like Gurpreet, I’m definitely not technical! I recently attended a careers fair for Capgemini which gave me the idea of writing a blog entry about the application process and application forms. I hope you find it useful.

Once you’ve carried back multiple bags filled with freebies from your careers fair that you don’t really need, you may now actually want to apply to some of these companies! The application process for many companies is a long, drawn out affair that requires you to jump through many hoops along the way. They’re pretty much all the same consisting of an application form, 1st round interview (normally over the phone) and assessment centre and ours is much the same.

So let’s start at the beginning: The application form I think this is the hardest, and probably most important, part of the whole application process. Hardest, because a recruiter is judging you only on what you’ve written, so you’re application has to be excellent. Most important because this is where the majority of people fail; once you get past this stage, you will have more of an opportunity to show what you can offer.

The best way to complete an application is to try and put yourself in the recruiter’s position and imagine what they want to see. Recruiters can trawl through hundreds of applications in a day so you have to make sure your one stands out. There will be some key questions that will make or break your application – these might be: Why consulting? Why Capgemini? Tell us a time where you showed leadership etc. It’s in response to these questions that you have to advertise yourself, show that you know about the company and why you want to work there. Advertising yourself pretty much means showing you have the competencies that the company wants. FYI some of the competencies that Capgemini looks for include: communication, innovation and collaboration.

Showing that you know the company and why you want to work there is your opportunity to show that you have done your research, and by research, I don’t just mean looking on the grad website and regurgitating what’s already there! Why you want to work there should be honest reasons - don’t write some cliché reason that could apply to anyone. Remember you want to stand out!

When I was filling out application forms, I know I found it challenging and incredibly time consuming when I had university work to do and lectures to attend. Having said that, I would definitely give as much time as possible to make sure they are as good as they can be and also to make sure you are applying for the right reasons.

So good luck guys with your applications. I’m sure if you invest the time you will get rewarded!